Incoming First-Year
Overview
We’ve designed our admission process to get to know you as a whole person. We don’t require standardized test scores, but our team looks closely at your academic accomplishments — we like to see strong performance in challenging courses. We're just as interested in understanding your personal interests and accomplishments, both in school and your community, and in reading your personal essay.
How to Apply
There are two ways to apply to Saint Joseph's University as an incoming first-year student: you can choose the Common Application or the Saint Joseph's University Application. Our application opens on August 1 of your senior year and there is no application fee. Plus, your test scores are 100% optional.
All students who apply to Saint Joseph's are automatically reviewed for a merit-based scholarship, including test-optional applicants.
Application Deadlines
Keep in mind the following information regarding application deadlines:
| Application Plan | Application Deadline | Decision Notification by |
| Early Decision I | November 15 | December 20 |
| Early Action | November 15 | December 20 |
| Early Decision II | January 15 | February 15 |
| Regular Decision | February 1 | March 15 |
We accept required documents up to two (2) weeks after the published deadline for your application plan. If you have concerns about timely document delivery, connect with your assigned admission counselor.
Admission Requirements
We require a high school diploma or recognized equivalent for admission to Saint Joseph’s University. Recommended high school coursework includes the following core subject areas:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of mathematics
- 2 years of history
- 2 years of a laboratory science
- 2 years of a world language
Competitive applicants typically exceed the minimum requirements and have taken four years in all five core subject areas.
Students applying for a direct-entry health professions program in occupational therapy, physical therapy or pharmacy will need a minimum of 3 lab sciences and 3 math courses with a 3.00 GPA.
Preparing Your Application
We strive to make the application process straightforward and easy to understand. Here are our required and optional documents, in addition to specific requirements for homeschool or GED students.
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The following materials are required for all first-year applicants:
- Common Application or Saint Joseph’s Application.
- High School Transcript(s) sent directly from your secondary school to Saint Joseph’s University.
- Letter of Academic Recommendation from a teacher or counselor, sent to us directly from your secondary school or the recommender.
- Personal Essay using prompts from the Common Application.
- Early Decision Agreement, if applicable, signed by you, a parent/guardian, and a school counselor.
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Submit these if you think they will strengthen your application:
- ACT or SAT scores may be sent directly from the testing agency or self-reported on your application or uploaded to your SJU Admission Account. SAT scores will be super-scored; we’ll take your highest composite ACT score. Learn more about Saint Joseph's test optional policy.
- Resume or supplementary documents uploaded to your SJU Admission Account.
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- Two letters of recommendation from outside your immediate family.
- One letter assessing your academic ability.
- One letter attesting to after-school involvement.
- Homeschool transcript.
- Standardized test scores (ACT or SAT).
- Course outlines or syllabi.
- Homeschool Supplement Form to be completed by the adult educator or homeschool program.
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We expect a competitive applicant to achieve a minimum of 165 in each of the four subject areas, which demonstrates college readiness. Along with your GED scores, we review your essay, activities and recommendations holistically in order to determine your admission to Saint Joseph’s University.
Applying as a Direct-Entry Student
Saint Joseph's University offers a direct-entry admission pathway to our health professions programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy and pharmacy. This option allows you to enter the program directly from high school and seamlessly transition to the professional phase of the program by meeting all academic criteria and program requirements. This option is accelerated and designed for high school students who have a clear vision for their career and are ready to commit to the field.
If you're interested in applying to one of these direct-entry programs as a first-year student, you may do so by submitting an application via the Saint Joseph's University Application or the Common Application. Please visit the program page for more information about specific application requirements:
- BS to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
- BS to Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT)
- BS to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- BS to Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
If you have questions about our direct-entry programs, please contact admit@sju.edu.
Individual Appointments
Schedule time to meet one-on-one with an admissions counselor and get all your questions about Saint Joseph's answered. Appointments are typically available in the fall and spring.
How to Submit Application Materials
You may also submit your application materials by:
Mail:
Saint Joseph's University
Office of Undergraduate Admission
5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Fax: 610-660-1314
Email: admit@sju.edu
Saint Joseph's University School Codes
- College Board: 2801
- ACT: 3684
- FAFSA: 003367
- TOEFL: 2801
Check Your Application Status
You will receive an email within 48 hours of submitting your application with instructions to activate your SJU Admission Account. From your account you can track the status of your required documents, request changes to your application and view your decision letter.
If you don't receive or can't find your "Application Submitted" email, be sure to check your spam/junk folder first. You can email admit@sju.edu or call 610-660-1300 for additional assistance.